With 26,500 workers still needed to return to pre-pandemic levels and an aging population accelerating care demand, SNFs face ongoing pressure to build sustainable staffing pipelines.
Nursing Home Workforce Report — American Health Care Association, January 2026
The nursing home workforce is steadily growing, gaining more than 40,700 total workers in 2025. While all other health care sectors have already gained additional jobs, nursing homes are still rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing homes need 26,500 workers to return to pre-pandemic levels.
American Health Care Association. Nursing Home Workforce Report. American Health Care Association, January 2026. https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Documents/2026-Long-Term-Care-Workforce-Report.pdf
Meanwhile, the use of temporary agency staff has decreased by about 44% since the final quarter of 2022, accounting for 5.6% of the workforce by October 2025, according to federal Payroll Based Journal data. Nursing staff turnover also has been declining steadily since 2022, and 55% of providers have expanded promotional and career paths for employees to help with retention.
— McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, January 28, 2026
About 62% of providers reported improved workforce conditions supported by higher wages, expanded training and clearer pathways, while temporary staff agency usage decreased by 44% since Q4 2022, the report noted. Nursing staff turnover has been declining since 2022 as well, the association reported, with RN turnover reduced by nearly 11% since mid-2022.
— Skilled Nursing News, January 29, 2026
